ASSESSMENT OF THE ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY OF TRAUNSEE (AUSTRIA) VIA ANALYSIS OF SEDIMENTS AND BENTHIC MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES

摘要: Since nearly one hundred years Traunsee experiences the import of tons liquid and solid waste originating from salt soda production. Today, lake exhibits chloride concentrations up to 170 mg L-1 19% floor are directly or indirectly influenced by industrial deposits (ID). Based on comparison several microbial parameters in unaffected, affected intermediate bottom sediments, ecological integrity was evaluated. The highly alkaline ID, which were exclusively colonized microorganisms, harbored a bacterial community reduced factor 10 abundance biomass compared undisturbed sediment areas within lake. ID furthermore characterized content actively respiring cells (INT-formazan reduction), lower frequency dividing (FDC) significantly cell A 80 90% reduction carbon recycling is estimated for area covered ID. Protists, although occasionally absent general found be less sensitive contaminant stress. Differences alkalinity dissolved organic (DOC) porewaters as well total C/N ratios sediments partly explain pattern observed at various sampling sites. Possible consequences continuous tailings whole ecosystem validation discussed.